The Cat O’ Nine Tails Blu Ray review

Argento’s second best film, is given a delightful refreshing look and bold new treatment. Throw away your old versions…this is the definitive one. When a break in happens at a genetic lab, blind puzzle maker Franco Arno (Karl Malden) might be able to unlock the mystery as not only who it was but why…

Dario Argento, giallo, masterpiece. Three words that define exactly what you are about to buy. This is a Dario Argento film. Its a Giallo film with much of the baggage derived from that. It is certainly considered a stand out masterpiece. So why is it so good? Well lets see. Its cryptic and clever. It has wonderful notes of Argento at his most perverse (murders and the conclusion), most skillful (the phantom ride opening scene is really very good) and of course it sits high on the genres convention building but still feels fresh. You would do no better if you haven’t come across the genre, then to start here. You also would feel hard done by, visiting this film as a seasoned tourist to the mount of Giallo genre.

The Blu Ray has up scaled the film to 4K. Taken from the negative the change from the DVD version I had from Arrow is a delight. Colour looks good, clarity superb and that fuzz on the graveyard scene all gone finally. Didn’t see it? Watch the DVD again if you have it and run it side by side. See it now? The extras are very good as well. The new commentary by Alex and Kim is the best in my top three. It again opens up a film that has so much to offer and does it with great entertainers. The booklet essay is the second best thing on the set. It is well written and is by a new voice. Thank goodness arrow aren’t sticking to a single over used person and have taken the great Troy Howarth, Barry Forshaw and Howard Hughes. All three great and under used by them. Finally the third great addition are those script pages. The original ending finally in English. Go ahead treat yourself to it and then read that after the film credits roll. Excellent isn’t it…

Brand new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative